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Sustainability of Urban Consumption Practices

Urban logistics are becoming increasingly complex: in addition to the heterogeneity of goods transported and of the means of transportation, urban logistics encompass diverse multiple stakeholders (local authorities, transporters, retailers). The sustainability of goods transported and personal mobility will be a major challenge for both public and private sectors. The New York University (NYU) Rudin Center for Transportation is conducting research aiming to understand the sustainability challenges associated with freight and passenger mobility in cities, and recommend policies for sustainable consumption practices at the local level. The sustainability research will deepen understanding of the true sustainability of urban residents who commute by public transportation, but regularly receive packages from online retailers, and recommend corresponding policies. This work is being conducted with the research group 6-t: Bureau de Recherche, based in Paris. The project aims to better understand and compare the consumption practices and mobility behaviors of the residents living in two of the major cities in the world (Paris and New York City). The work will be conducted through a simultaneous survey in both cities, analysis, stakeholder meeting and narrative.